How Brad Pitt’s new F1 film compromised Fernando Alonso’s qualifying at the Hungarian GP

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Fernando Alonso was involved in an overlooked controversy at the Hungarian Grand Prix last weekend. While all the focus was on McLaren, a team orders dispute was also playing out at Aston Martin.

Up at the front, McLaren ordered Lando Norris to slow down and let Oscar Piastri retake the lead. Norris had leapfrogged his teammate by virtue of a defensive undercut, and was initially reluctant to move over.

Aston Martin, meanwhile, were battling at the lower end of the points. In the closing stages, Alonso was 10th, with Lance Stroll directly behind him.

Given that Stroll was on fresher tyres, the team thought he had a chance of catching Yuki Tsunoda ahead. Thus they instructed Alonso to let the Canadian through.

They told him that Stroll would return the position before the end of the race if he couldn’t catch Tsunoda. But when he failed to do so, he refused to let Alonso past.

A reminder from the team on the final lap was met with no response and Stroll crossed the line 10th to take the final point. Alonso remains 21 ahead in the championship.

Apex GP car caused confusion for Fernando Alonso at Hungarian GP

Alonso had qualified seventh on Saturday as Aston locked out the fourth row. This was a strong showing from a team whose fortunes have been mixed lately.

They were able to capitalise on Q1 exits for Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Mercedes’ George Russell. But one video showed a furious Alonso arguing with FIA officials in the pit lane afterwards.

Fresh onboard footage may indicate why he was so angry. Following the red flag caused by Tsunoda’s late crash, an FIA representative directed Alonso to pull in as he entered the pits.

But this wasn’t parc ferme, as is customary at the end of the session. Instead, Alonso parked behind the ‘Apex GP’ car that’s being used for Brad Pitt’s upcoming ‘F1’ film.

This apparent mishap prevented Alonso from taking any further part in the session after Tsunoda’s car was recovered. RB’s Daniel Ricciardo was the only driver to improve his time in the late dash, climbing from P10 to P9.

Martin Brundle seriously worried by Fernando Alonso radio messages

Alonso has cut a frustrated figure lately. He started the year battling with the Mercedes cars, but the fortunes of the two teams have diverged sharply.

Mercedes have arguably improved their car more than anybody else and are now regularly contending for race wins and podiums. Aston, on the other hand, are coming into each weekend unsure whether they’ll be able to pick up any points.

That’s why Martin Brundle thinks Alonso is ‘fed-up’. He signed a new contract with the team in April after a solid start to the season, but their decline since may have sewn doubts.

Max Verstappen thinks Alonso could have been an eight-time champion if he’d made better career decisions. As it is, he’s holding out hope of competing for a third before he retires once and for all.